Seeking justice for the victims of Bhopal through music

It's time for action — Activist and rapper Sofia Ashraf made headlines last summer when she called out Unilever for poisoning the soil and water of her town. In her newest video denounces the US Department of Justice for failing to support India in their fight for justice after the Bhopal chemical disaster.

It was dubbed the world’s worst industrial disaster, when in 1984 toxic gases leaked from a chemical factory near the Indian city of Bhopal. The consequences were devastating: thousands of people were killed, livestock decimated, and the surrounding land has been polluted ever since. 32 years on and estimates now suggest 25,000 have died as a consequence of the catastrophe, with around 500,000 more poisoned.

Since the accident, India has attempted to charge factory owners – Dow Chemical – with manslaughter, demanding that they take responsibility for the fateful consequences of the leak from their factory. Despite India sending multiple notices under The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to the The US Department of Justice (DoJ) asking for them to summon explanations from Dow, their pleas have been ignored. Now a petition asking the Department of Justice to stop shielding Dow Chemical from accountability has been started in an attempt to finally get justice.

Sofia Ashraf is the activist responsible for Kodaikanal Won’t, which hit headlines last year, and she’s now released a new music video in aid of this petition. “This gross negligence is practically genocide”, says Sofia, “and the fact that the perpetrators are getting away with it just enrages me.”

Sofia hopes that the video will help raise awareness of the petition, as well as educating young people on the original catastrophe that is still corroding Bhopal. “There is an entire generation who are unaware about what could be one of the world’s worst industrial disasters”, she continues. “Through my new video, I hope the millennials will remember our toxic past and do something about it.” 

You can sign the petition for the US Department of Justice to address these issues.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

Tattooed woman with long red hair screaming into microphone on stage, band members with instruments in background, coloured stage lights.
Music

In Birmingham’s punk underground, hardcore is queer

Punk Pride — In recent years, a defiantly political queercore scene has begun to emerge in the West Midlands, providing alternative spaces for the area’s LGBTQ+ youth. Stephanie Phillips speaks to those leading the charge.

Written by: Stephanie Phillips

Two men standing in courtyard surrounded by concrete residential buildings with white arched balconies and tall tower block behind.
Music

We took techno legend Chris Liberator to a virtual rave, here’s what went down

Stay acid forever — With VR experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats currently running at London's Barbican Centre, Simon Doherty brought the acid punk figurehead along to see what he thought, and reflect on the health of the rave scene today.

Written by: Simon Doherty

Shirtless male performer with long dark hair holds baseball bat aloft whilst singing into microphone, drummer visible in background.
Music

Bob Vylan top UK Hip Hop and R&B album chart one week after Glastonbury

The people said ‘Nah’ — Despite heavy criticism from politicians and media for leading chants of “death to the IDF”, as well as being dropped by their agent, the punk duo’s 2024 LP 'Humble As The Sun' has seen its purchases and streams spike.

Written by: Molly Baker

Three people wearing masks sit on brown car bonnet against pale blue sky. Left figure in black, centre in white with orange/white mask, right in red jacket.
Music

Kneecap now have 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners

Not the story — The number has tripled from 500,000 in January, and comes after months of criticism from media and politicians as the Irish rap trio have expressed support for Palestine.

Written by: Molly Baker

Dark street scene with orange-lit shop front and glowing red windows in building above. People gathered outside illuminated storefront.
© Tom Weatherill
Music

In photos: The people of Glastonbury’s queer heart The NYC Downlow

Elation and family — Once a year, a meatpacking warehouse nightclub springs up in Glastonbury’s South East corner and becomes a site of pilgrimage for the festival’s LGBTQ+ scene. We met the people who make The NYC Downlow so special.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Black and white album cover showing group of people on boat deck with "SYLVESTER" banner above and "LIVING PROOF" text below.
Music

How pop music introduced queer culture to the mainstream

The Secret Public — Between the ’50s to the ’70s, pop music was populated with scene pushers from the margins. A new book by Jon Savage explores the powerful influence of LGBTQ+ folk.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...